Study Abroad Exam Guide | Essential for Graduate School Applications! GRE Exam Analysis | UP-STUDY Educational Center

As an applicant for graduate schools in the United States, you’ve likely heard of or even taken the GRE exam. The blood, sweat, and tears required for preparation is not something that can be easily summarized in just a few words. So, what exactly is this GRE, which many students find so challenging? Let UP-STUDY tell you all about it!

1. Exam Introduction

GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations, is a standardized graduate school admission test administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). It was first conducted in 1949 and has since been recognized by many universities in the United States and Canada, becoming an important basis for application.

The GRE consists of two parts: the General Test and the Subject Test. Unless specifically required by a program, over 90% of universities request the General Test scores.

GRE Profile

• Test Frequency: Approximately three tests per month in Taiwan
• Test Duration: About 3 hours and 45 minutes
• Test Attempts: Up to 5 times within 12 months, with a 21-day interval between each test
• Test Validity: 5 years

2. Test Content

The GRE aims to assess the learning achievements of university graduates in various areas, including vocabulary usage, quantitative analysis, analytical writing, and critical thinking skills.

The GRE consists of the following sections:

A. Analytical Writing Section (Test Duration: 30 minutes per section, Maximum Score: 6.0)

This section is divided into two parts: the Issue Task and the Argument Task. The Issue Task requires writing a short essay based on the given topic, while the Argument Task involves making a reasoned conclusion based on a provided debate topic.

B. Verbal Section (Test Duration: 30 minutes per section, Maximum Score: 170)

The content of the test includes reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary usage. The vocabulary section is often the most challenging for test-takers due to the complexity of the words. It is recommended that students prepare by using GRE-specific vocabulary books and continue reading academic English articles or foreign media reports to familiarize themselves with vocabulary usage.

C. Quantitative Section (Test Duration: 35 minutes per section, Maximum Score: 170)

This section tests students’ ability to analyze and interpret quantitative information, as well as their understanding of basic mathematical concepts. For Taiwanese students, the quantitative section is equivalent to high school-level mathematics. It is suggested that students review English mathematical terminology and engage in regular practice with math problems to ensure familiarity with the questions and mathematical concepts.

D. Experimental / Research Section

The experimental section may consist of verbal or quantitative questions, and it is a test used by ETS to prepare new questions for future exams. It is not included in the total score. However, since the content is similar to other sections, it is advised that test-takers answer these questions as usual to avoid affecting their overall performance.

3. Conclusion

As a common application requirement for many schools, the GRE provides foreign schools with a standardized measure to evaluate graduates from universities worldwide. It is an unavoidable challenge for applicants to graduate schools abroad. However, by changing one’s mindset and treating the GRE as a stepping stone to achieving dreams, preparing well for the exam, and striving for high scores, students can confidently apply with strong results and lay a solid foundation for their future graduate studies!